February 2012

Economy Plus now on all former CO B757 aircraft

United Airlines – the merged carrier of United and Continental – has rolled out Economy Plus seating to all of its former Continental B757 aircraft serving international routes including London, Manchester, Dublin and Edinburgh. The product offers six inches of extra legroom, and the newly-configured aircraft now feature 16 full-flat Business First seats, 45 Economy Plus seats and 108 economy seats.

Hong Kong Airlines partners with Michelin starred chef

Hong Kong Airlines has partnered with Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton to create a new in-flight dining concept for its all-Club Class London Gatwick to Hong Kong service, due for its inaugural flight 8 March. Atherton will help create a menu which will be available for passengers in both the Club Classic and Club Premier cabins. The menu aims to reflect elements of the culinary traditions of both China and Europe and will be complemented by a specially selected wine list and choice of Chinese teas.

LOCOG to hand back 120,000 hotel rooms

The London Olympics organising committee is to return 20 per cent of rooms it had reserved for media, sports federations, the IOC and sponsors over the London 2012 Games, totalling over 120,000 room nights at 200 hotels across the capital.

Starwood revamps SPG loyalty scheme

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has made a number of changes to its SPG loyalty programme, designed to reward the “small but powerful group who drive 30 per cent of the company’s profit”. Among the new benefits is the scheme’s new lifetime status offering, similar to that granted by some airline loyalty schemes. Members who have stayed a total of 250 nights, and maintained elite status for at least five years (not necessarily consecutively) will be awarded lifetime Gold status, while those staying 500 nights and with ten year’s elite status will be granted lifetime Platinum status.

Emirates launches Mercedes fleet at Dubai T3

Emirates has introduced a new fleet of 46 Mercedes E200 cars as part of its complimentary chauffeur-drive service for first class passengers travelling to and from Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International airport. However, the current fleet of Volvo cars will continue to be used for business class passengers in Dubai. The service is available all across the UAE and can be booked up to 12 hours in advance of departure in first class, and 24 hours in business. The airline offers chauffeur-driven airport transfers for first and business class passengers across 45 destinations.

Air Berlin to join Oneworld in March

Oneworld has confirmed Air Berlin will officially join the alliance on 20 March, with subsidiary Niki also joining as an affiliate member. Oneworld currently has 12 full members, as well as around 20 affiliate members.